EDITORIAL: Military veterans deserve benefits

There may be perfectly good reasons why veterans of our military services take advantage of benefits at a lower rate in Michigan than in other states.

But ignorance isn't one of them.

It was unsettling to learn that a Vietnam veteran, receiving some overdue medals in a recent ceremony, wasn't aware he qualified for health care and educational benefits.

He thought he wasn't qualified because he had been drafted into the service.

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"That's not even remotely correct," said Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, Michigan's National Guard adjutant general and head of the state Military and Veteran Affairs Department.

"This soldier had served his country in combat and never even asked what he was entitled to receive."

Beginning March 20, the Veterans Affairs Agency will begin an operation in Vadnais' department to advise veterans about their benefits, linking them with government agencies.

It follows a pledge from Gov. Rick Snyder in his State of the State message pledging to create the agency.

Although the number of veterans' benefit applications from Michigan residents has climbed in recent years, the state lags behind many other states in per-capita benefits.

Federal spending on each Michigan veteran is a little under $4,000. The national average is $5,500. The state with the highest per capita benefits is West Virginia, where veterans average $8,700.

State officials pointed to several reasons Michigan lags behind.

Over several decades, the state's manufacturing industry provided good pay and benefits and less need for veterans' benefits. The state also has no large military installations, which tend to draw military

retirees to nearby communities.

Responsibility for steering veterans to benefits has been scattered among several state departments and county agencies.

Then there's the ignorance. Having been drafted into the service was never a disqualification. Those who served in peacetime also qualify for some benefits.

We hope the new agency finds ways to reach out to every military veteran in the state. Many, of course, know what their benefits are. Others will have no need to seek them.

But every person who put on a uniform in service to their nation should be aware of the benefits they've earned.